Launch of WBM Express: Partnership informed Metro Vancouver elected representatives in May 2014

May 19, 2014 - Posted in 2014, WBM Express for Landowners

 

Inter-Regional Collaboration for Watershed Sustainability

Twice per year, Kim Stephens of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC meets with the Metro Vancouver Utilities Committee. The purpose is to keep municipal elected representatives informed about inter-regional collaboration with four Vancouver Island regions; and how Metro Vancouver members are both contributing to the program content and benefiting from the sharing and learning process.

Update presentations are by invitation, with the most recent being on May 13, 2014. When he introduced Kim Stephens, Committee Chair Darrell Mussatto reminded the committee members that Metro Vancouver is a Champion Supported of the Partnership. He then informed the members that formal presentation of the “letter of recognition” to Board Chair Greg Moore had taken place the day before.

“We value the  excellent work that the Partnership is doing with a number of our members, in particular the District of North Vancouver, City of Surrey and City of Coquitlam. We especially appreciate the passion that Kim Stephens brings to the topic of rainwater management. We enjoy and look forward to his update presentations. We are enthused by his enthusiasm,” stated Darrell Mussatto, Mayor of North Vancouver City.

From the Watershed to the Site

“My purpose in meeting with you today is to provide a progress report on two collaborative initiatives, namely the Georgia Basin Inter-Regional Education Initiative and the Water Balance Model Express for Landowners. The scope of these initiatives encompasses the watershed down to the site,” stated Kim Stephens, the Partnership’s Executive Director.

“When I came before you in September 2011 and asked Metro Vancouver to co-fund the WBM Express, you immediately embraced the vision. Your support subsequently made it possible to trigger matching federal funding. Looking back, it is incredible to think that the turnaround between your initial endorsement and confirmation by the Metro Vancouver Board took a mere 5 weeks. We thank you and Metro Vancouver staff for pulling out all the stops to expedite the approval process.”

“Today, I am pleased to announce that the first two applications of the Express are now LIVE, namely the North Vancouver District Express and the Cowichan Region Express (on Vancouver Island). We are proceeding with implementation one partner at a time. In this way, we can continue to enhance the platform so that everyone benefits. When I leave this meeting, I am heading to Surrey for a project initiation meeting for the Surrey Express. By the end of 2014, we will be ready to work with other Metro Vancouver municipal partners.”

“The Water Balance Model Express integrates and balances three watershed-based performance targets that mimic the Natural Water Balance. The Express supports implementation of standards of practice, both engineering and planning, that are affordable and effective in maintaining healthy watersheds and streams,” concluded Kim Stephens.

Why Metro Vancouver Co-Funded Development of “WBM Express for Landowners”

“Metro Vancouver contributed $50,000 to fund further enhancement of the Water Balance Model because widespread use of this decision  tool will help Metro Vancouver and members fulfil our regulatory commitments, in particular those related to integrated rainwater management,” stated Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore, Chair of the Metro Vancouver Board, in a 2012 statement.

“Actions required of local government are spelled out in the region’s Integrated Liquid Waste & Resource Management Plan, approved by the Minister of Environment in May 2011. Conditions in the Minister’s approval highlight the importance of land use planning in protecting stream health. The conditions focus attention on how the degree, type and location of land development can affect the long-term health of the watershed.”

“The region and members have committed to protecting stream and watershed health. This will be accomplished by managing rain where it falls. Use of the Water Balance Model can help municipalities to define achievable and affordable performance targets at the watershed, neighbourhood and site scales,” concluded Chair Greg Moore.

To Learn More:

To download a PDF copy of the PowerPoint presentation by Kim Stephens, click on Inter-Regional Collaboration for Watershed Sustainability: Collaboration will Help Everyone More Easily Deliver on Regulatory Requirements

To download a copy of the accompanying 2-page Executive Summary, click on Presentation #6 – Progress update for period October 2013 through May 2014.